Hyrdoponics

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a planter forming part of a hydroponic system. The planter includes a longitudinal body defining at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels and at least two plant holders defined in the body, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumference of the longitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders in fluid flow communication with one of the at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from and is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/564,885 entitled “HYDROPONICS,”filed on Oct. 6, 2017, which claims priority from and is a U.S. NationalStage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No.PCT/IB2016/052043 entitled “HYDROPONICS,” filed on Apr. 11, 2016, whichclaims the benefit of South African Provisional Patent Application No.2015/02400 entitled “HYDROPONICS,” filed Apr. 10, 2015, the contents ofeach of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to hydroponics. In particular the inventionrelates to a planter, a planter tower and a hydroponic greenhouse

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventors are aware of hydroponic systems and arrangements. Inparticular, the inventors filed an earlier South African Patentapplication number 2014/02082.

Existing planters are prone to plants growing into each other andgetting attached to each other in the planter, which make the harvestingof plants from the planter cumbersome.

Furthermore, the present invention has the object of improving plantingdensity without compromising growth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a planterwhich includes a longitudinal body defining at least two longitudinallyextending liquid channels; and at least two plant holders defined in thebody, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumference of thelongitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders in fluidflow communication with one of the at least two longitudinally extendingliquid channels.

The longitudinal body may include a single longitudinal conduit which isinternally divided to define the at least two longitudinally extendingliquid channels.

Each planter holder may define a holder mouth into which plants arereceivable. In particular the holder mouth may be shaped as anapplanated cylindrical ellipse, -circle or the like.

In one embodiment, the at least two plant holders may be located onopposed sides of the longitudinal body. In particular, the at least twoplant holders may be alternatively spaced on opposed sides over thelength of the longitudinal body.

Each of the plant holders may be in fluid flow communication with adifferent one of the longitudinally extending liquid channels.

The longitudinal body may include connecting formations at the ends ofthe longitudinal body.

The connecting formations may be shaped and dimensioned to fit intocorresponding connection formations of corresponding planters.

The operative lower end of the longitudinal body of the planter may havea connection formation for fitting into a corresponding connectionformation on an operative upper end of a longitudinal body of acorresponding planter installed below the former planter, and theoperative upper end of the longitudinal body of the planter may have aconnection formation for fitting into a corresponding connectionformation on an operative lower end of a longitudinal body of acorresponding planter installed above the former planter.

In one embodiment the connecting formations may be in the form of socketand spigot formations shaped and dimensioned to fit into respectivespigot and socket formations of corresponding planters.

The operative lower end of the longitudinal body of the planter may havea spigot formation, for fitting into a socket formation on an operativeupper end of a longitudinal body of a corresponding planter installedbelow the former planter and the operative upper end of the longitudinalbody of the planter may have a socket formation for receiving a spigotformation on an operative lower end of a longitudinal body of acorresponding planter installed above the former planter.

In an opposed example, the operative lower end of the longitudinal bodyof the planter may have socket formation, for receiving a spigotformation on an operative upper end of a longitudinal body of acorresponding planter installed below the former planter and theoperative upper end of the longitudinal body of the planter may have aspigot formation for fitting into a socket formation on an operativelower end of a longitudinal body of a corresponding planter installedabove the former planter.

Each plant holder may include an inlet opening and an outlet opening,which is in flow communication with its corresponding liquid channel. Inparticular the inlet opening may be located above the outlet opening topermit gravitational liquid flow into the plant holder through the inletopening and liquid flow from the plant holder through the outletopening.

The planter may include at least one longitudinally extending gaschannel, the gas channel having gas outlets spaced along its length. Thegas outlets may open to the outside of the planter body. The gas outletsmay be in the form of nozzles.

The connecting formations may be shaped and dimensioned to connectadjacent planter bodies together. The connecting formations may includeliquid channel connecting formations for connecting the liquid channelsof adjacent planter bodies together. The connecting formations mayinclude gas channel connecting formations for connecting the gaschannels of adjacent planter bodies together.

The planter may include an external attachment formation proximate theplant holder mouth for attaching plant supports. In particular, theattachment formation may be located below the plant holder mouth and mayreceive various types of plant supports, such as a creeper trellis andthe like. In this embodiment, the creeper trellis may be arranged tosupport a creeper plant, planted in the plant holder when it grows fromthe plant holder mouth.

The external attachment formation may further be supportive of lightingmeans, proximate the plant leaves for enhancing lighting onto the plantand subsequent plant growth. The lighting means may be in the form oflight emitting diodes (LED's) operable to emit a specific frequency oflight.

The planter may further include planting inserts shaped and dimensionedto fit into mouths of the at least two plant holders.

The planting inserts may be selected from any one or more of: a seedlingtray, a planting tray, a seeding clip and the like.

The seedling tray may be in the form of a cylindrical body, shaped tothe shape of the plant holder. The seedling tray may have a depth ofabout 43 mm. The seedling tray may include an inlet opening indexed withthe inlet opening of the plant holder. The seedling tray may include aplanar base cut in sections to provide drainage slits. The drainageslits may be less than 0.5 mm in width to permit liquid drainage withoutflushing seedlings from the seedling tray.

The planting tray may be in the form of a cylindrical body shaped to theshape of the plant holder. The planting tray may have a depth of about117 mm. The planting tray may include an inlet opening indexed with theinlet opening of the plant holder. The planting tray may include aplanar base cut in sections to provide drainage slits. A portion of theplanting tray sidewall may also include drainage slits. The portion ofthe sidewall may be slightly tapered towards the base. The drainageslits may be less than 0.5 mm in width to permit liquid drainage withoutflushing seedlings from the seedling tray.

The seeding clip may have a planar body for closing the planter mouthand provided with a downwardly projecting plate having a slot shaped toengage the stem of a plant.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aplanter tower, which includes a plurality of planters as described,connected together to form an elongate upright planter with plantholders extending from the sides of the planter tower.

The planter tower may include between eight and sixteen plantersconnected together.

The planter tower may include at least one end member, shaped anddimensioned to connect onto an end the plurality of planters connectedtogether.

Specifically the planter tower may include two end members, a top endmember for connecting to the top end of the plurality of planters and abottom end member for connecting to the bottom end of the plurality ofplanters.

The at least one end member may be shaped to fit onto an end of alongitudinal body of a planter, socket and spigot fashion.

The at least one end member may include dual liquid conduits indexed tomatch the longitudinally extending liquid channels.

The at least one end member may include a gas conduit indexed to match agas channel extending through the planters.

The at least one end member may include a body with two sides, one ofwhich is provided with a socket formation and one of which is providedwith a spigot formation for fitting onto matched spigot and socketformations of the ends of the longitudinal body.

The top end member may be in the form of an intake closure attached at atop end of a plurality of inter-connected planters for directing liquidinto the two longitudinally extending liquid channels and for directinggas into the at least one longitudinally extending gas channel.

The bottom end member may be in the form of an outlet closure attachedat a bottom end of a plurality of inter-connected planters for directingliquid from the two longitudinally extending liquid channels and fordirecting gas from the at least one longitudinally extending gaschannel.

The at least one end member may include a catchment tray, for receivingany overflow liquid.

The liquid channels may extend over the length of the interconnectedplanters.

Each planter in the planter tower may include a gas channel, the gaschannel extends over the length of the inter-connected planters.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided ahydroponic greenhouse, which includes an array of planter towers, theplanter towers arranged in parallel spaced rows, the rows being providedwith a top liquid and gas supply line, connected via an intake closureto a top of each of the planter towers, the rows further being providedwith a bottom liquid and gas collection line, connected via an outletclosure to a bottom of each of the planter towers; a liquid circulationsystem, connected to the liquid supply lines and the liquid collectionlines; a gas circulation system, connected to the gas supply lines andthe gas collection lines.

In an embodiment where the gas outlets, described above, are directed tothe outsides of the planter bodies, the gas outlets may be directed atplants in an adjacent planter tower, advantageously to provide anadequate exchange of gas on the leaves of an adjacent plant.

The greenhouse may include a partially closed enclosure, which may beprovided with any one or more of air conditioners, high pressure fans,dampers, coiled coolers for recirculation of the liquid or gas from theliquid collection lines to the liquid supply lines or alternatively gassupply lines, geothermal heater/coolers, heat pumps, humiditycontrollers, infra-red controllers, and the like.

The greenhouse may be provided with a nutrient supply dosing pumpconnected to the liquid circulation system for dosing nutrients into theliquid circulation system.

The greenhouse may further include a filtering arrangement connected tothe liquid circulation system for filtering the liquid in the liquidcirculation system.

The invention will now be described by way of a non-limiting exampleonly, with reference to the following drawing.

DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1a and 1b show three-dimensional views of a planter in accordancewith one aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 2a and 2b show two halves of the planter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a planter tower comprising assembled planters of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show three-dimensional views of an end member of aplanter arrangement;

FIG. 5 shows a seedling tray of a planter;

FIG. 6 shows a planting tray of a planter;

FIG. 7 shows a creeper trellis of a planter;

FIG. 8 shows a seeding clip of a planter arrangement; and

FIG. 9 shows a hydroponic greenhouse in accordance with a further aspectof the invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In FIG. 1 a planter 10, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,is shown. The planter 10 has a longitudinal body 12, in two halves 12.1and 12.2, as best shown in FIGS. 2a and 2 b.

The longitudinal body 12 defines two longitudinally extending liquidchannels 14.1 and 14.2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The planter 10 includes two plant holders 16, 18 defined on the outercircumference of the longitudinal body. As can be seen in FIG. 2, thetwo plant holders 16, 18 have openings 16.1, 18.1 defining liquid inletsto the plant holders and 16.2, 18.2 defining liquid outlets from theplant holders.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plant holders 16, 18 have holdermouths in the form of applanated cylindrical ellipses.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two plant holders 16, 18 arealternatively spaced on opposed sides of the longitudinal body.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the longitudinal body hasconnecting formations 20, 22 in the form of socket and spigot formationsat the ends of the longitudinal body 12. As can be seen in FIG. 3, theconnecting formations are shaped and dimensioned to fit into respectivespigot and socket formations of corresponding planters.

Importantly the operative lower end of the longitudinal body 12 of theplanter 10 has a spigot formation 22, for fitting into a socketformation 20 on an operative upper end of a longitudinal body 12 of acorresponding planter 10 installed below the former planter.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, each plant holder 16, 18 has an inlet opening16.1, 18.1 and an outlet opening 16.2, 18.2, respectively, which formspart of its corresponding liquid channel 14.2 and 14.1, respectively. Ascan be seen, the inlet openings 16.1, 18.1 are located above the outletopenings 16.2, 18.2 to permit liquid to flow into the plant holders 16,18 through the inlet openings 16.1, 18.1 and from the plant holderthrough the outlet opening 16.2, 18.2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, each plant holder 18 comprises two halves,which defines a complete plant holder, when connected to each other.

The planter 10 further includes a longitudinally extending gas channel24. The gas channel 24 has outlets spaced along its length. Inparticular, the gas channel 24 has outlets 26 that open to the outsideof the planter body 12 (see FIG. 3). The gas outlets 26 are in the formof nozzles, when the planters are assembled in an array as shown in FIG.9, the nozzles are directed at plants in adjacent planter towers, toensure adequate gas exchange on the leaves of those plants.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the planter has an external attachmentformation 28 proximate the plant holder mouth for attaching plantsupports. One example of such a plant support is a plant trellis 30,shown in FIG. 7, which has a corresponding attachment formation 32,which can fit into the attachment formation 28, spigot and socketfashion. The creeper trellis 30 is arranged to support a creeper plant(not shown), planted in the plant holder when it grows from the plantholder mouth 16, 18.

The planter 10 also has external attachment formations in the form ofapertures 34, for holding wire, line or cables that can provideadditional structural strength to the planter assembly 50 or to providea structure onto which creepers can grow.

Each planter 10 also includes planting inserts (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6and 8) shaped and dimensioned to fit onto mouths of the plant holders16, 18. The planting inserts are selected from: a seedling tray, aplanting tray and a seeding clip. The planting inserts may be selectedbased on its suitability for a specific plant.

In FIG. 5 a seedling tray 60 is shown, which is shaped and dimensionedto fit into a mouth of a plant holder 16, 18. The seedling tray 60 has adepth of about 43 mm. The seedling tray 60 has an inlet opening 60.1indexed with the inlet openings 16.1, 18.1 of the plant holder. Theseedling tray 60 has a planar base cut in sections to provide drainageslits 60.2. The drainage slits 60.2 are less than 0.5 mm in width topermit liquid drainage without flushing seedlings from the seedling tray60.

In FIG. 6 a planting tray 70 is shown, which is shaped and dimensionedto fit into a mouth of a plant holder 16, 18. The planting tray 70 has adepth of about 117 mm and is in the form of a cylindrical body shaped tothe shape of the plant holder 16, 18. The planting tray 70 includes aninlet opening 70.1 indexed with the inlet openings of the plant holder16.1, 18.1. The planting tray 70 has a planar base cut in sections toprovide drainage slits. A portion of the planting tray sidewall also hasdrainage slits 70.2. The portion of the sidewall is slightly taperedtowards the base. The drainage slits is less than 0.5 mm in width topermit liquid drainage without flushing seedlings from the seedling tray70.

In FIG. 8 a seeding clip 80 is shown. The seeding clip 80 is shaped tofit onto the mouth of a plant holder 16, 18. The seeding clip 80 has aplanar body for closing the planter mouth and is provided with adownwardly projecting plate 80.2 and a slot 80.3 shaped to engage thestem of a plant. The seeding clip 80 further includes finger projections80.1, which can be compressed towards each other for removing theseeding clip 8 from the mouth of the plant holder 16, 18.

FIG. 3 shows a planter tower 50 in accordance with a further aspect ofthe invention. In this example the planter tower 50 includes twoplanters 10.1, 10.2 as described, connected together to form an elongateupright planter, with plant holders 16, 18 extending from the sides ofthe planter tower 50 (It is to be appreciated that in a preferredembodiment a planter tower would include about eight planters connectedtogether as shown in FIG. 9).

The planter tower 50 is provided with two end members 52, as best shownin FIG. 4, (not mounted in FIG. 4) shaped to fit socket and spigotfashion onto a top or bottom end of a longitudinal body 12 of a planter10.

The end members 52 have dual liquid conduits 54, 56 indexed to match thelongitudinally extending liquid channels 14.2, 14.1. The end members 52also each has a gas conduit 58 indexed to match the gas channel 24extending through the planters.

The end members 52 each has a body with two sides, an upper side whichis provided with a socket formation 52.1 and a bottom side which isprovided with a spigot formation 52.2 for fitting onto matched spigot-22and socket-20 formations on the ends of the longitudinal body 12 of theplanters 10. The upper and bottom sides further includes a recessedcradle formation for receiving a top liquid and gas supply line (asshown in FIG. 9) and a bottom liquid and gas collection line across theend members. In this example the upper cradle formation is dimensionedto fit a 50 mm to 65 mm pipe and the bottom cradle formation isdimensioned to fit a 110 mm to 160 mm pipe.

In this example the planter tower 50 includes a top end member 52 forconnecting to the top end of the plurality of planters 10.1, 10.2 and abottom end member 52 for connecting to the bottom end of the pluralityof planters 10.1, 10.2. The top end member 52 and bottom end member 52are identical in shape and dimension, but function as an intake closure52 and outlet closure 52 respectively.

The intake closure 52 attached at a top end of a plurality ofinterconnected planters, being operable to direct liquid into the twolongitudinally extending liquid channels 14.1, 14.2 and for directinggas into the longitudinally extending gas channel 24.

The outlet closure 52 attached at a bottom end of a plurality ofinterconnected planters, being operable to direct liquid out from thetwo longitudinally extending liquid channels 14.1, 14.2.

The liquid channels 14.1, 14.2 and gas channel 24 extend over the lengthof the inter-connected planters 10.

The bottom side of the end members 52 also includes a catchment tray 57on the outer perimeter of the end members. When the end member 52 isused as a bottom end member, the catchment tray 57 is operable toreceive overflow liquid from the planter tower 50.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the plant holders 16, 18 which arealternatively spaced on opposed sides over the length of the of theplanter tower 50, provide for maximum space and access to sunlight forthe plants. Furthermore, with the roots growing downwardly, possiblyinto the liquid channels 14.1, 14.2, maximum provision is made for rootgrowth, without interference from plants directly below or above anyplanter.

FIG. 9 shows a hydroponic greenhouse 100 in accordance with yet afurther aspect of the invention. The hydroponic greenhouse 100 includesan array of planter towers as described. In this figure only one row ofplanter towers 50.1 to 50.10 are shown (for illustrative purposes),however in practice the hydroponic greenhouse includes a plurality ofparallel spaced planter tower rows.

The rows being provided with a top liquid and gas supply line 102,connected via an intake closure 52 to a top of each of the plantertowers 50. The rows are further provided with a bottom liquid and gascollection line 103, connected via an outlet closure 52 to a bottom ofeach of the planter towers 50.

The hydroponic greenhouse 100 includes a liquid circulation system (notshown), connected to the liquid supply lines 102 and the liquidcollection lines 103 and a gas circulation system (not shown), connectedto the gas supply lines 102 and the gas collection lines 103.

In this example the top liquid and gas supply line 102 includes a 50 mmto 65 mm diameter plastic outer pipe, onto which the top end members 52of each planter tower 50 in the row is attached. The 50 mm to 65 mmdiameter plastic outer pipe includes interspaced apertures through whichliquid and gas is fed into the planter towers 50. The top end members(inlet closures) 52 are secured to the pipe via connectors. In thisexample the connectors are in the form of cable ties (not shown), whichare threaded through connector apertures 59 on the end members 52.

In this example the bottom liquid and gas collection line 103 includes a110 mm to 160 mm diameter plastic outer pipe, onto which the bottom endmembers (outlet closures) 52 of each planter tower 50 in the row isattached. The 110 mm to 160 mm diameter plastic outer pipe includesinterspaced apertures through which liquid and gas is received from theplanter towers 50. The bottom end members 52 are secured to the pipe viaconnectors. In this example the connectors are in the form of cable ties(not shown), which are threaded through connector apertures 59 on theend members 52.

The hydroponic greenhouse includes a partially closed enclosure (notshown), which is provided with any one or more of: air conditioners,high pressure fans, dampers, coiled coolers for recirculation of theliquid or gas from the liquid collection lines to the liquid supplylines or alternatively gas supply lines, geothermal heater/coolers, heatpumps, humidity controllers and infra-red controllers.

The hydroponic greenhouse is also provided with a nutrient supply dosingpump (not shown) connected to the liquid circulation system for dosingnutrients into the liquid circulation system.

The hydroponic greenhouse is further provided with a filteringarrangement (not shown) connected to the liquid circulation system forfiltering the liquid in the liquid circulation system.

The inventors are of the opinion that the invention as describedprovides a new planter, a planter tower and a hydroponic greenhouse.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A planter comprising: a longitudinal bodydefining at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels, the twolongitudinally extending liquid channels comprising: a firstlongitudinally extending liquid channel having a first channel inletopening and a first channel outlet opening, wherein a first flow path ofthe first longitudinally extending liquid channel extends from the firstchannel inlet opening to the first channel outlet opening; and a secondlongitudinally extending liquid channel that is distinct from the firstlongitudinally extending liquid channel; and at least two plant holdersdefined in the body, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumferenceof the longitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders influid flow communication with a corresponding single one of the at leasttwo longitudinally extending liquid channels, in which a first plantholder of the at least two plant holders is in fluid flow communicationwith the first longitudinally extending liquid channel and includes aninlet opening or an outlet opening, the inlet opening or the outletopening positioned between the first channel inlet opening and the firstchannel outlet opening and is included in the first flow path betweenthe first channel inlet opening and the first channel outlet opening,and in which a second plant holder of the at least two plant holders isin fluid flow communication with the second longitudinally extendingliquid channel.
 2. The planter of claim 1, in which the longitudinalbody includes a longitudinal conduit which is internally divided todefine the at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels.
 3. Theplanter of claim 1, in which the at least two plant holders are locatedon opposed sides of the longitudinal body, wherein each of the at leasttwo longitudinally extending liquid channels extends from an upper endof the longitudinal body.
 4. The planter of claim 1, in which each plantholder includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening, which is in flowcommunication with its corresponding longitudinally extending liquidchannel, and in which the inlet opening is located above the outletopening to enable gravitational liquid flow into the plant holderthrough the inlet opening and liquid flow from the plant holder throughthe outlet opening.
 5. The planter of claim 1, in which the at least twoplant holders are alternatively spaced on opposed sides over the lengthof the longitudinal body, and in which the at least two plant holdersdefined in the body are integrally formed with the body, and each of theplant holders defined in the body are integrally formed with the body.6. The planter of claim 1, in which: the first plant holder has theinlet opening, the outlet opening, and a corresponding mouth that isdistinct from the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and thelongitudinal body includes connecting formations at the ends of thelongitudinal body, the connecting formations are shaped and dimensionedto fit into corresponding connection formations of correspondingplanters, and the connecting formations include: liquid channelconnecting formations for connecting the liquid channels of adjacentplanter bodies together; or gas channel connecting formations forconnecting the gas channels of adjacent planter bodies together.
 7. Theplanter of claim 1, in which the planter includes at least onelongitudinally extending gas channel, the gas channel having gas outletsspaced along its length, and in which the planter is configured to becoupled a plurality of planters connected together to form a plant towerhaving interconnected liquid channels, the plant tower included in anarray of plant towers included in a hydroponic greenhouse, the array ofplanter towers arranged in parallel spaced rows, the rows being providedwith a top liquid and gas supply line, connected via an intake closureto a top of each of the planter towers, the rows further being providedwith a bottom liquid and gas collection line, connected via an outletclosure to a bottom of each of the planter towers, the liquid supplylines and the liquid collection lines connected to a liquid circulationsystem of the greenhouse, and the gas supply lines and the gascollection lines connected to a gas circulation system of thegreenhouse.
 8. The planter of claim 1, in which each plant holder has acorresponding mouth, and in which the planter includes an externalattachment formation associated with each plant holder for attaching aplant support, the attachment formation is located below the plantholder mouth, and the plant support is in the form of a creeper trellisarranged to support a creeper plant, planted in the plant holder when itgrows from the plant holder mouth.
 9. The planter of claim 1, in whichthe planter includes planting inserts shaped and dimensioned to fit intomouths of the at least two plant holders, and in which the plantinginserts are selected from any one or more of: a seedling tray, aplanting tray and a seeding clip.
 10. The planter of claim 9, in whicheach plant holder includes an inlet opening, and in which the seedlingtray is in the form of a cylindrical body, shaped to the shape of theplant holder and includes an inlet opening indexed with the inletopening of the plant holder, the seedling tray includes a planar basecut in sections to provide drainage slits to permit liquid drainagewithout flushing seedlings from the seedling tray.
 11. The planter ofclaim 9, in which each plant holder includes an inlet opening, and inwhich the planting tray is in the form of a cylindrical body shaped tothe shape of the plant holder and includes an inlet opening indexed withthe inlet opening of the plant holder, the planting tray includes aplanar base cut in sections to provide drainage slits to permit liquiddrainage without flushing seedlings from the seedling tray.
 12. Theplanter of claim 9, in which the seeding clip has a planar body forclosing the plant holder mouth and provided with a downwardly projectingplate having a slot shaped to engage the stem of a plant.
 13. A plantertower comprising: a plurality of planters connected together to form anelongate upright planter with plant holders extending from the sides ofthe planter tower, at least one planter of the plurality of planterscomprising: a longitudinal body defining at least a portion of twolongitudinally extending liquid channels, the two longitudinallyextending liquid channels comprising: a first longitudinally extendingliquid channel; and a second longitudinally extending liquid channelthat is distinct from the first longitudinally extending liquid channel;and at least two plant holders defined in the body, the plant holdersspaced on the outer circumference of the longitudinal body, each one ofthe at least two plant holders in fluid flow communication with acorresponding single one of the at least two longitudinally extendingliquid channels, in which a first plant holder of the at least two plantholders is in fluid flow communication with the first longitudinallyextending liquid channel, and in which a second plant holder of the atleast two plant holders is in fluid flow communication with the secondlongitudinally extending liquid channel; a top end member for connectingto the top end of the plurality of planters connected together; and abottom end member for connecting to the bottom end of the plurality ofplanters connected together.
 14. The planter tower of claim 13, inwhich: the top end of the plurality of planters defines a first channelinlet opening of the first longitudinally extending liquid channel, thebottom end of the plurality of planters defines a first channel outletopening of the first longitudinally extending liquid channel, a firstflow path of the first longitudinally extending liquid channel extendsfrom the first channel inlet opening to the first channel outletopening, and the first plant holder includes an inlet opening or anoutlet opening, the inlet opening or the outlet opening positionedbetween the first channel inlet opening and the first channel outletopening and is included in the first flow path between the first channelinlet opening and the first channel outlet opening.
 15. The plantertower of claim 13, in which the plant tower is configured to be includedin an array of plant towers included in a hydroponic greenhouse, thearray of planter towers arranged in parallel spaced rows, the rows beingprovided with a top liquid and gas supply line, connected via an intakeclosure to a top of each of the planter towers, the rows further beingprovided with a bottom liquid and gas collection line, connected via anoutlet closure to a bottom of each of the planter towers, the liquidsupply lines and the liquid collection lines connected to a liquidcirculation system of the greenhouse, and the gas supply lines and thegas collection lines connected to a gas circulation system of thegreenhouse.
 16. The planter tower of claim 15, in which: the top endmember is in the form of an intake closure attached at a top end of aplurality of inter-connected planters for directing liquid into the twolongitudinally extending liquid channels and for directing gas into theat least one longitudinally extending gas channel; or the bottom endmember is in the form of an outlet closure attached at a bottom end of aplurality of inter-connected planters for directing liquid from the twolongitudinally extending liquid channels and for directing gas from theat least one longitudinally extending gas channel.
 17. A hydroponicgreenhouse comprising: an array of planter towers arranged in parallelspaced rows, the rows being provided with a top liquid and gas supplyline, connected via an intake closure to a top of each of the plantertowers, the rows further being provided with a bottom liquid and gascollection line, connected via an outlet closure to a bottom of each ofthe planter towers, at least one of the plant towers including a plantercomprising: a longitudinal body defining at least a portion of twolongitudinally extending liquid channels; and at least two plant holdersdefined in the body, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumferenceof the longitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders influid flow communication with one of the at least two longitudinallyextending liquid channels, in which a first plant holder of the at leasttwo plant holders is in fluid flow communication with a firstlongitudinally extending liquid channel of the at least twolongitudinally extending liquid channels, and in which a second plantholder of the at least two plant holders is in fluid flow communicationwith a second longitudinally extending liquid channel of the at leasttwo longitudinally extending liquid channels; a liquid circulationsystem, connected to the liquid supply lines and the liquid collectionlines; and a gas circulation system, connected to the gas supply linesand the gas collection lines.
 18. The hydroponic greenhouse of claim 17,in which gas outlets of the planters, are directed to the outsides ofthe planter bodies, the gas outlets being directed at plants in anadjacent planter tower.
 19. The hydroponic greenhouse of claim 17, inwhich: the greenhouse includes a partially closed enclosure, which isprovided with any one or more of: air conditioners, high pressure fans,dampers, coiled coolers for recirculation of the liquid or gas from theliquid collection lines to the liquid supply lines or alternatively gassupply lines, geothermal heater/coolers, heat pumps, humiditycontrollers and infra-red controllers; or the greenhouse is providedwith a nutrient supply dosing pump connected to the liquid circulationsystem for dosing nutrients into the liquid circulation system or isprovided with a filtering arrangement connected to the liquidcirculation system for filtering the liquid in the liquid circulationsystem.
 20. A planter comprising: a longitudinal body defining at leasttwo longitudinally extending liquid channels, the two longitudinallyextending liquid channels comprising: a first longitudinally extendingliquid channel; and a second longitudinally extending liquid channelthat is distinct from the first longitudinally extending liquid channel;at least two plant holders defined in the body, the at least two plantholders spaced on the outer circumference of the longitudinal body, eachone of the at least two plant holders in fluid flow communication with acorresponding single one of the at least two longitudinally extendingliquid channels, in which at least one plant holder has a correspondingmouth; and an external attachment formation associated with the at leastone plant holder for attaching a plant support; and in which a firstplant holder of the at least two plant holders is in fluid flowcommunication with the first longitudinally extending liquid channel,and in which a second plant holder of the at least two plant holders isin fluid flow communication with the second longitudinally extendingliquid channel.
 21. The planter of claim 20, in which the attachmentformation is located below the plant holder mouth.
 22. The planter ofclaim 20, in which the plant support is in the form of a creeper trellisarranged to support a creeper plant, planted in the plant holder when itgrows from the plant holder mouth.
 23. A planter comprising: alongitudinal body defining at least two longitudinally extending liquidchannels, the two longitudinally extending liquid channels comprising: afirst longitudinally extending liquid channel; and a secondlongitudinally extending liquid channel that is distinct from the firstlongitudinally extending liquid channel; and at least two plant holdersdefined in the body, the plant holders spaced on the outer circumferenceof the longitudinal body, each one of the at least two plant holders influid flow communication with a corresponding single one of the at leasttwo longitudinally extending liquid channels; and a planting insertshaped and dimensioned to fit into mouths of the at least two plantholders, in which a first plant holder of the at least two plant holdersis in fluid flow communication with the first longitudinally extendingliquid channel, and in which a second plant holder of the at least twoplant holders is in fluid flow communication with the secondlongitudinally extending liquid channel.
 24. The planter of claim 23, inwhich the planter includes multiple planting inserts, each of themultiple planting inserts shaped and dimensioned to fit into mouths ofthe at least two plant holders.
 25. The planter of claim 23, in whichthe planting insert is selected from any one or more of: a seedlingtray, a planting tray and a seeding clip.